Likely to be the most popular song by the Sex Pistols, "Anarchy in the U.K." was released in 1976 as the band's first single. The song sends the basic message to do whatever, even if violent, to get what you want from the government.
"How many ways
to get what you want?
I use the best, I use the rest
I use the enemy, I use anarchy"
The above lyrics demonstrate the idea that they are willing to use people in support of anarchy to get what they want. There is a line later in the song, "I wanna be anarchy/Get pissed, destroy" which shows the bands support for the ideas behind anarchy and for a change in the government system in the U.K. The Sex Pistols advocate violence and destruction to promote taking down the Queen.
-Julianne Fleck
source of lyrics: http://www.metrolyrics.com/anarchy-in-the-u-k-lyrics-sex-pistols.html
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Crass- Big A, Little A
Crass' "Big A, Little A" is a great example of promoting anarchy through music.
The first section of lyrics are:
:Big A, little A, bouncing B
The system might have got you but it won't get me.
External control are you gonna let them get you?
Do you wanna be a prisoner in the boundaries they set you?
You say you want to be yourself, by christ do you think they'll let you?
They're out to get you get you get you get you get you get you get you"
These lyrics powerfully send the message of anarchism to the listener. They believe that the government is a a force with the goal to drain the world of creativity and freedom.
"Hello, hello, hello, this is the Lord God, can you hear?
Hellfire and damnation's what I've got for you down there
On earth I have ambassadors, archbishop, vicar, pope
We'll blind you with morality, you'd best abandon any hope,
We're telling you you'd better pray cos you were born in sin
Right from the start we'll build a cell and then we'll lock you in
We sit in holy judgement condemning those that stray
We offer our forgiveness, but first we'll make you pay"
Crass' lyrics are declaring that religion is a method used to take control of people.
"External control are you gonna let them get you?
Do you wanna be a prisoner in the boundaries they set you?
You say you want to be yourself, by christ do you think they'll let you?
They're out to get you get you get you get you get you get you get you
Hello, hello, hello, now here's a massage from your queen
As figurehead of the status quo I set the social scene
I'm most concerned about my people, I want to give them peace
So I'm making sure they stay in line with my army and police
My prisons and my mental homes have ever open doors
For those amongst my subjects who dare to ask for more
Unruliness and disrespect are things I can't allow
So I'll see the peasants grovel if they refuse to bow"
The lyrics mention that the police and army are used to force people to act a certain way.
"Introducing the Prime Sinister, she's a mother to us all"
Crass' play on words shows the anarchist view of people holding positions of high power.
:If Moses did it with is faith, she'll do it with an army
Who at times of threatened crisis are certain to be there
Guarding national heritage no matter what or where
Palaces for kings and queens, mansions for the rich
Protection for the wealthy, defence of privilege
They've learnt the ropes In Ireland, engaged in civil war
Fighting for the ruling classes in their battle against the poor
So Ireland's just an island? It's an island of the mind
Great Britain? Future? Bollocks, you'd better look behind
Round every other corner stands P.C. 1984
Guardian of the future, he'll implement the law
He's there as a grim reminder that no matter what you do
Big brothers system's always there with his beady eyes on you
From God to local bobby, in home and street and school
They've got your name and number while you've just got their rule
We've got to look for methods to undermine those powers
It's time to change the tables. The future must be ours
Big A, little A, bouncing B
The system might have got you but it won't get me
Be exactly who you want to be, do what you want to do
I am he and she is she but you're the only you
No one else has got your eyes, can see the things you see
It's up to you to change your life and my life's up to me
The problems that you suffer from are problems that you make
The shit we have to climb through is the shit we choose to take
If you don't like the life you live, change it now it's yours
Nothing has effects if you don't recognise the cause
If the programme's not the one you want, get up, turn off the set
It's only you that can decide what life you're gonna get
If you don't like religion you can be the antichrist
If your tired of politics you can be an anarchist
But no one ever changed the church by pulling down a steeple
And you'll never change the system by bombing number ten
Systems just aren't made of bricks they're mostly made of people
You may send them into hiding, but they'll be back again
If you don't like the rules they make, refuse to play their game
If you don't want to be a number, don't give them your name
If you don't want to be caught out, refuse to hear their question
Silence is a virtue, use it for your own protection
They'll try to make you play their game, refuse to show your face
If you don't want to be beaten down, refuse to join their race
Be exactly who you want to be, do what you want to do
I am he and she is she but you're they only you"
The rest of the lyrics encourage people to be true to themselves and to choose their own path. To be who you want to be and not follow the governments orders.
This is a brief explanation of one of Crass' most popular songs. I will expound upon general anarchism in music in my next post.
-Hannah Kelley
The first section of lyrics are:
:Big A, little A, bouncing B
The system might have got you but it won't get me.
External control are you gonna let them get you?
Do you wanna be a prisoner in the boundaries they set you?
You say you want to be yourself, by christ do you think they'll let you?
They're out to get you get you get you get you get you get you get you"
These lyrics powerfully send the message of anarchism to the listener. They believe that the government is a a force with the goal to drain the world of creativity and freedom.
"Hello, hello, hello, this is the Lord God, can you hear?
Hellfire and damnation's what I've got for you down there
On earth I have ambassadors, archbishop, vicar, pope
We'll blind you with morality, you'd best abandon any hope,
We're telling you you'd better pray cos you were born in sin
Right from the start we'll build a cell and then we'll lock you in
We sit in holy judgement condemning those that stray
We offer our forgiveness, but first we'll make you pay"
Crass' lyrics are declaring that religion is a method used to take control of people.
"External control are you gonna let them get you?
Do you wanna be a prisoner in the boundaries they set you?
You say you want to be yourself, by christ do you think they'll let you?
They're out to get you get you get you get you get you get you get you
Hello, hello, hello, now here's a massage from your queen
As figurehead of the status quo I set the social scene
I'm most concerned about my people, I want to give them peace
So I'm making sure they stay in line with my army and police
My prisons and my mental homes have ever open doors
For those amongst my subjects who dare to ask for more
Unruliness and disrespect are things I can't allow
So I'll see the peasants grovel if they refuse to bow"
The lyrics mention that the police and army are used to force people to act a certain way.
"Introducing the Prime Sinister, she's a mother to us all"
Crass' play on words shows the anarchist view of people holding positions of high power.
:If Moses did it with is faith, she'll do it with an army
Who at times of threatened crisis are certain to be there
Guarding national heritage no matter what or where
Palaces for kings and queens, mansions for the rich
Protection for the wealthy, defence of privilege
They've learnt the ropes In Ireland, engaged in civil war
Fighting for the ruling classes in their battle against the poor
So Ireland's just an island? It's an island of the mind
Great Britain? Future? Bollocks, you'd better look behind
Round every other corner stands P.C. 1984
Guardian of the future, he'll implement the law
He's there as a grim reminder that no matter what you do
Big brothers system's always there with his beady eyes on you
From God to local bobby, in home and street and school
They've got your name and number while you've just got their rule
We've got to look for methods to undermine those powers
It's time to change the tables. The future must be ours
Big A, little A, bouncing B
The system might have got you but it won't get me
Be exactly who you want to be, do what you want to do
I am he and she is she but you're the only you
No one else has got your eyes, can see the things you see
It's up to you to change your life and my life's up to me
The problems that you suffer from are problems that you make
The shit we have to climb through is the shit we choose to take
If you don't like the life you live, change it now it's yours
Nothing has effects if you don't recognise the cause
If the programme's not the one you want, get up, turn off the set
It's only you that can decide what life you're gonna get
If you don't like religion you can be the antichrist
If your tired of politics you can be an anarchist
But no one ever changed the church by pulling down a steeple
And you'll never change the system by bombing number ten
Systems just aren't made of bricks they're mostly made of people
You may send them into hiding, but they'll be back again
If you don't like the rules they make, refuse to play their game
If you don't want to be a number, don't give them your name
If you don't want to be caught out, refuse to hear their question
Silence is a virtue, use it for your own protection
They'll try to make you play their game, refuse to show your face
If you don't want to be beaten down, refuse to join their race
Be exactly who you want to be, do what you want to do
I am he and she is she but you're they only you"
The rest of the lyrics encourage people to be true to themselves and to choose their own path. To be who you want to be and not follow the governments orders.
This is a brief explanation of one of Crass' most popular songs. I will expound upon general anarchism in music in my next post.
-Hannah Kelley
Friday, November 11, 2011
-AAA-
The Florida-based band Against All Authority, abbreviated -
-AAA- is a ska-punk group with strong political ideals and have a D.I.Y. work ethic, meaning that they control every aspect of their career including recording their songs, booking tours, and even making their own shirts to sell at their concerts. They continue today doing everything themselves, even after they joined Hopeless Records.
Their main goal with their music is to promote their message of “questioning our economic differences and promoting our human similarities.” When they are not recording music, they are often involved in political demonstrations and social projects.
Eleni Mitoulis
Eleni Mitoulis
Anti-Flag
Anti-Flag is an American punk band formed in the late 80's. To say that their lyrics contain anarchist notions is a huge understatement. With tracks such as "You've Gotta Die For Your Government," "Captain Anarchy," and "Fuck The Flag," It's hard not to classify these guys as "Anarchist." In fact, during the song "Captain Anarchy," the word "anarchy" is spelled out letter by letter multiple times. Many of their other songs also contain lyrics like "Brainwashing piece of rag, Take it off mast, and stick it up your ass" (Fuck The Flag) and "I never have, I never will Pledge allegiance to their flag You're getting used, you'll end up dead!" (You've Gotta Die For Your Government.)
-Ian Ihde
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Sex Pistols
The Sex Pistols represent anarchist views in many of their lyrics and in their actions as rock stars as well. The band's first single, "Anarchy in the U.K." was released in 1976 opens with lyrics, "I am an anti-Christ, I am an anarchist." Lead singer Johnny Rotten continues with lyrics promoting anarchy overtaking the U.K. government. The Sex Pistols followed with another anti-U.K. government single in 1977, "God Save the Queen." Here, the band begs for someone to save the queen for, "She ain't no human being/there is no future/in England's dreamland."
In further blogposts, I will expand on the examination of Sex Pistol's lyrics and public actions.
-Julianne Fleck
Sources:
http://www.sexpistolsofficial.com/biography/
Refused
Refused is a hardcore punk band formed in 1991 from Umeå Sweden. They are known for their anti- capitalist and anti-establishment lyrics as well as their revolutionary style. They have often been called one of the most influential punk bands in the last several years.
Lyrically, almost all of their songs paint anarchy in a very positive light, with lyrics such as "capitalism is indeed organized crime and we are all the victims." ("Refused Party Program"(The song in the embedded video)) and "I breathe out & I scream, Rewoke Malatesta's dream" (Protest Song '68). All of their songs are heavily politically influenced and have very leftist views. One of their most famous songs entitled "New Noise" is about being a revolutionary and having a mind to yourself rather than following along with the views people tell you to have including lyrics like "... how can we expect anyone to listen if we are using the same old voice? We need new noise - new art for the real people." Although this band broke up over ten years ago, their influence is still felt in many modern day bands and their music is featured in many movie soundtracks.
-Ian Ihde
Monday, November 7, 2011
Say Anything
Say Anything, an indie punk band originating out of Los Angeles in 2000 and fronted by lyrical genius Max Bemis, is a band worthy of noting when discussing Anarchism in music. Although they don't necessarily follow the truest of anarchist ideals they do have a few songs and albums that are certainly befitting.
Say Anything is known for their strong anti-capitalist views. In songs on their latest album, which is self-titled, tracks such as "Mara and Me" or "I Could Be President" directly attack the problems with both Capitalism and the way Americans have become (in a negative perspective of course). Also, on their album In Defense of the Genre, their is one title that really says it all about the bands stance on Capitalism and that track is "Surgically Removing the Tracking Device". Without delving into the lyrical content just yet, the song is believed to be about Big Brother and the fact that we have become so dependent on modern day technology that it's uses are taking a turn for the worse. Of course there are many other songs that contain powerful lyrics that are relevant to the ideals of Anarchy, and just as Hannah posted in the blog about Crass, I will be getting into those lyrics in upcoming posts.
And one last fun fact, ironically enough, Max announced the title for their upcoming album in 2012 on October 6th, and it is to be duly named "Anarchy, My Dear".
- Randy Depfer
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